Electronics glitch has cost Laverty ‘a shot at the title’

Corner exit speed was way down so there was nothing for it but huge lunges on the brakes...
Picture: Paul Sturman

Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty has spoken further about his recent problems with the factory RSV4 World Superbike, revealing that the electronics glitch lost him so much speed exiting turns, he had to try and make it all up on the brakes with huge lunges.

The problem was found to be a sensor issue but the young Irishman says it has more than likely cost him a shot at the 2012 title as he had to go for three rounds unable to make time out of corners - which is where the MotoGP-esque Aprilia is at its strongest.

"The rough patch seems to be behind us but unfortunately it has cost us a shot at the title. Basically my strongest point became my weakest in a matter of five days between Monza and Donington and it took three rounds, the equivalent of 1500km, before we found the problem. These bikes are so complicated now and with a brain of their own they can sometimes go against the rider," said Laverty.

"I went into every race worried that I was going to cause an accident because I couldn’t accelerate out of a corner and so the only chance I had of overtaking was taking a huge lunge at the rider in front. I hit the back of Tom Sykes in Salt Lake City and then almost did the same again at the following round at Misano.

"I’ve had some odd looks when explaining to people that the Aprilia is a great package, a step up from last year even. I could almost hear them thinking, ‘So why the hell are you riding around in the middle of the pack?’ I can’t blame them to be honest, nor do I hold it against the fans that began to doubt me. Fact is there are so many riders out there who talk crap and that makes it difficult to distinguish between the honest man and the ‘Bobby Bullshitter’.

"All I can do is aim to win races now and who knows, I might even be able to work my way back towards the top three in the championship. We had a great test on Monday after the Aragon race weekend and we’ve made big leaps forward with the Aprilia."